Porto Vecchio of Trieste: A Long History

The Old Port, where TCC is located, now awaits the arrival of many other entities that will settle there in the coming years following renovation and restoration works. It has the understated charm and slightly neglected atmosphere of a place rich in history.

The Port of Trieste has been an important commercial hub throughout its history. Originally renowned as the main port of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 19th century, it became one of the most significant ports in the world for cargo handling. This was due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean and its status as a free port, which provided commercial advantages to the city of Trieste, contributing to the growth and reputation of the port.

During the 19th century, particularly with the railway connection to Vienna, the capital of the Empire, and the opening of the Suez Canal, the port experienced further development. It was decided to renovate the infrastructure and build a modern port befitting its role. The construction took longer than expected due to various obstacles, such as the muddy seabed and the need to build a breakwater for safety and stability of the structures. Between 1883 and 1893, warehouses 7, 10, 18, 19, 20, and 26 were built, along with hangars 6, 9, 17, 21, 22, 24, and 25. With the completion of Molo IV, the new port complex can be considered finished. The establishment of railways and warehouses facilitated the modernization of the City-Port system, which once again changed its perspective after Trieste’s return to Italy. Expansion projects were initiated, transforming the port from a trading hub to a transit point for goods.

What was then known as the “New Port” was completed between the 1920s and 1930s, allowing Trieste to compete with other European ports. After the abolition of the Free Port privilege, the port complex acquired the status of a free zone for goods. However, a few years later, the government promoted further expansion of the harbor, planned to the south of the city, where the New Free Zone would soon be established.